Unlike a webinar or traditional industry podcast, we'll be pulling together leading figures in their fields to discuss, dissect and debate key issues for driver and rider trainers. Known as a Motormouth myself and not afraid of a bit of ruck, we'll be asking challenging questions and discussing challenging views with people who like to challenge the status quo. We'll either have you shouting at your screen or cheering us on! I'll be joined by established and well-known figures or organisations in or impacting our world - but also those new on the scene, so we get a good mix of experienced insights and fresh viewpoints.
Are we giving riders the strongest possible foundations for lifelong safe riding? In this episode of Motormouth, host Carly Brookfield, CEO of the DIA, is joined by Mark Jaffe, Chief Motorcycle Examiner at Diamond Advanced Motorists, alongside motorcycle policy expert Craig Carey-Clinch and IAM RoadSmart Chief Examiner Richard Gladman. Together, they explore the fundamentals of rider training, discussing machine control, hazard awareness, decision making, rider mindset and the role trainers ...
1 May 2026
Driving Through Rising Fuel Prices
Fuel prices continue to influence the cost of learning to drive and the day-to-day running of tuition vehicles. For instructors, it raises important questions about vehicle choice, lesson pricing and how we prepare learners for the future of motoring. As costs rise, many are asking whether now is the time to rethink traditional approaches and lead from the front. The situation raises important questions:Is it time to switch to EVs or more efficient tuition vehicles?Should eco-driving become ...
27 Feb 2026
PDIs: Will You Thrive, Just Survive, or Dive?
Will PDIs thrive, just survive, or ultimately leave the industry? In this recorded Motormouth webinar, we examine the surge in trainee licence applications and what it means for the profession in 2026. With more PDIs entering the market, is there enough pupil demand to sustain them? Is mentoring keeping pace? And are trainees being equipped to build resilient, professional businesses, or simply trained to pass Part 3? Our panel, Ian Lavell, Fiona Taylor, Lee Jowett and Nicky Harris, share h...
16 Jan 2026
Let’s Get Back to Business
It’s a new year and we took a SWOT at training school businesses! A new year is a good time to take a hard, constructive look at your business. In the first Motormouth of 2026, we used a SWOT analysis to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing driver and rider training schools. Crucially, the discussion came as the Government launched its new Road Safety Strategy, with proposals that could fundamentally change how people learn to drive and ride in the UK. We look...
11 Dec 2025
New Years Revolutions
This end-of-year session looks back at everything 2025 threw our way and takes a light-hearted look at what might be coming in 2026. We reflect on the moments that stood out, the changes that challenged us, and the trends that shaped the driver and rider training world over the past twelve months. The session also explores a few hopes and predictions for the year ahead, ranging from the sensible to the slightly wild, as we reset and prepare for what 2026 may bring. To finish, we round thing...
1 Aug 2025
The Truth About PDI and ADI Training: What They Don’t Tell You
Thinking about becoming a driving instructor – or already supporting PDIs through their training? Then this episode is essential listening. In this eye-opening edition of Motormouth, we go beyond the sales pitch to uncover the reality of PDI and ADI training in the UK. Because not all training is created equal – some is outstanding, some is poor, and far too much is simply average. Hosted by Graham Hooper, Head of Driver Training Development at the DIA, this panel discussion brings together s...
20 Jun 2025
Driving Up Diversity and Inclusion in Driver Training
Diversity and inclusion shouldn’t be a “special topic” in our profession – it should be embedded in the very fabric of driver and rider training. Yet many voices remain underrepresented, and barriers still exist for both trainers and pupils from marginalised groups. In this powerful and honest discussion, our panel explores the realities of working in an industry that hasn’t always reflected the diverse communities it serves. From challenges with representation and recruitment to bias i...
13 Jun 2025
Test waiting times and the booking system under review
Legendarily loquacious DIA CEO Carly, and our new Head of Driver Training Development, Graham Hooper (known equally for his frank and forthright views), will be your hosts. This month they’ll be joined by Former DVSA Assistant chief Driving Examiner for ADI Policy Chris Howes, who’ll share his insights from his time inside the agency—being no stranger to the challenges and issues it faces in delivering testing! ---- Chris Howes - Former DVSA Assistant chief Driving Examiner for ADI Policy Chr...
5 Jul 2024
Election Special - The Motormouth Manifesto
In this Election Special episode, DIA CEO Carly, regular panellist and ADI Chris Bensted and special guests (including an ADI running as a candidate himself!) will be discussing what should be in any political party’s manifesto when it comes to developing driver and rider training and testing in the UK. In the DIA Manifesto Survey we’ve been running over the last few weeks, we’ve been asking members for their insights on what any new government should consider in terms of developing policy, ...
5 Jun 2024
From PDI to ADI, developing the next generation of driver trainers
Motormouth is back and we're kicking off with a suitably big topic, exploring how we train and develop PDIs. DVSA reported recently that there had been a 100% increase in new licence applications, and that over 4,000 new trainees had started their journey to becoming an ADI. With such an influx of new entrants, it’s more important than ever that we develop potential new instructors in the right way. . Join CEO Carly Brookfield and experienced ADI trainers Chris Bensted (Better ADIs) and...
5 Jun 2023
Graduated Licensing - is restricting new drivers the right road to take?
Join DIA CEO Carly Brookfield, respected Transport Psychologist Dr Shaun Helman and regular panellist Chris Bensted to debate whether restricting new driver licences is the right road to take. Amendments being considered to the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act could open the door to new drivers having their licenses restricted, including being banned from carrying passengers in the first 6 months of driving independently. And although Government says it has no immediate plans to introduce suc...
4 Apr 2023
Is DVSA making it even more difficult to get a driving test? Plus grading out 'failing' trainers
Rev your engines for an action-packed podcast! We discussed recent changes to driving test notice periods, the booking process, and Standards Check grading with our panelists and audience. In Part One - the DVSA's plan to extend the waiting period for those who failed their car test has caused quite a stir amongst pupils and trainers. The media was buzzing about it, and our panel and audience had some fiery takes to share. Part Two - the DVSA wants to raise the bar on Standards Check p...
20 Mar 2023
Training ADIs: why and how it needs to change
In this session we'll be looking at the training of ADIs, why and how it needs to change. Topics we'll cover: is the current training route for instructors fit for purpose?is ORDIT a worthwhile way of encouraging and highlighting best practice in trainer training or should we overhaul how we evaluate and recognise what makes a good Train the Trainer?what are the gaps in ADI knowledge when they qualify and how do we plug them?how should trainer performance be monitored, managed and developed?...
1 Feb 2023
New Year's resolutions
This month we'll be asking what New Year's resolutions should the DVSA, the industry and individual trainers, be making to make sure 2023 really is a year of recovery and renewal - and not just a repeat of the previous year in terms of mistakes made or opportunities missed. We'll also look at the fixes our government regulator, the profession as a whole, and individual businesses need to consider making to move driver and rider training forward. Guest panellists: Chris Bensted Co-founde...
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